Participant FAQ
Wondering about the Consumed journey? You've come to the right place.
What's a journey?
How does a journey work?
What's this year's journey all about?
How can I get into a small group?
I'm already in a small group. Are we going to be asked to split up for the Consumed series?
I'll need to miss a group meeting. Can I still be in a small group?
If I miss a weekend service during the series, can I still be in a group?
What materials do I need for the Consumed series?
I've got more questions. What should I do?
What's a journey?
A community-wide journey focuses our entire church (and, this year, 35 other churches in the Cincinnati area) on a single topic for six weeks. It’s the most important thing we do all year.
How does a journey work?
Go to the weekend service (this year, we’ll begin on February 9); then, do a little reading and reflection on your own time during the week (we’ll give you free materials to facilitate); finally, meet with a small group each week to debrief learnings, be challenged, meet people and have fun.
What's this year's journey all about?
This year, our journey is called Consumed. Here’s a taste of where we’re headed:
Bombarded with the promises of savvy marketers and easy credit, we’re offered beauty, significance, security and happiness in just six easy installments and low, low monthly payments. In the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, we often feel like we never have enough. But there’s another way. There’s freedom to be had in a more open-handed approach to our time, money and possessions. In that freedom, we can discover what it means to be consumed with the One who designed us to be so much more than a cog in a consumer-driven economy. And that will change everything.
How can I get into a small group?
There are all kinds of ways to find a small group for the Consumed journey. Here are just a few ideas:
- Consider asking a group of friends or people with whom you serve to form a small group, or try the Find A Small Group tool to get hooked up with small group hosts looking for people to join their groups. The online tool will enable you to specify the kind of group you're looking for and the area of the city in which you'd like to meet.
- Attend the Connection Event that will be held at Crossroads on Sunday, February 10 to meet people looking to get connected (in-person) with a small group host. The Connection Event will start at 7:30pm.
- Join an onsite group that will meet at Crossroads on Wednesday or Thursday nights during the Consumed series. There will be groups for men, women and couples (as well as an open group for anyone) that will meet at Crossroads on Wednesday nights during the journey. If you’re interested in joining one of these onsite groups, just show up on Wednesday nights at 7pm, starting on February 13. Pursuit, a community group for 20-somethings, meets on Thursday nights and will be participating in Consumed together. Pursuit is listed as a group on the Find A Small Group tool.
I'm already in a small group. Are we going to be asked to split up for the Consumed series?
Not necessarily. In the past we’ve asked existing small groups to break up to host new groups for people who haven’t yet been involved in a small group environment. For the Consumed series, we’d just like you to consider the uniqueness of your group and what God might have for you. Maybe the best thing for you is to stay together with your current small group. Because we need so many hosts, though, and so many people in our community aren’t already in groups, please at least consider the option of breaking up to host a group of new people, either temporarily for the six-week series, or even permanently, for the sake of reproduction. If you decide to break up to host a group, it’s a good idea to include your intention for the new group up front in your posting, so people can select what’s best for them.
If you’re married, please note that we’re recommending that spouses go through Consumed together. If you’re unable to participate in the journey in the same group, make sure that you’re both discussing the topics covered in detail. This journey will challenge us all with ideas that will affect marriages and families (in a good way!), and it would be difficult to benefit fully from the experience separately.
I'll need to miss a group meeting. Can I still be in a small group?
Of course. Just let your small group host know in advance when you won't be able to attend.
If I miss a weekend service during the series, can I still be in a group?
Sure! Crossroads' weekend messages will be posted online so you can catch up if you miss a weekend. And although the weekend service is an important part of the overall experience, it's just one of three components of the journey. You'll get a lot of benefit from the personal guide and the small group experience even if you miss a weekend.
What materials do I need for the Consumed series?
Personal guides will be available at Crossroads on the first weekend of the Consumed series: February 9-10. Electronic (PDF) versions of the guide will also be available online. You'll also want to get your hands on a Bible to use during the series. You can pick one up for free at the Info Center in the Atrium.
I've got more questions. What should I do?
First of all, relax. We're here to help. You can stop by the kiosk set up in the Atrium before or after services on the weekends, or just send us an e-mail with any questions.